The team’s resilience is being tested early as the Golden State Warriors navigate their Western Conference semifinal series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Star guard Stephen Curry, the engine behind Golden State’s offense, has been sidelined indefinitely with a Grade 1 hamstring strain suffered in Game 1. With no clear return date, the Warriors now face the challenge of pushing forward without their leader.
Curry, speaking to reporters ahead of Game 2 at Target Center, acknowledged the unfamiliar territory he’s in.
“This one’s different,” Curry said. “You can’t cheat the healing process. Every day becomes a checkpoint. It’s about listening to your body, not rushing something you can’t control.”
Curry’s injury occurred midway through the second quarter of Game 1 when he clutched his left leg and motioned to the bench. After staying in the game momentarily, he exited and did not return, finishing with 13 points in 13 minutes. Despite the loss of their two-time MVP, the Warriors pulled off a gritty 99-88 road win to seize an early series lead.
The win wasn’t just a testament to the team’s depth — it was a showcase of how much the roster has evolved.
Veteran forward Draymond Green turned in a masterclass performance on both ends of the court, stifling Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards and setting the defensive tone. Green’s stat line — 18 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 made threes — underscored his importance beyond just intangibles.
New addition Jimmy Butler, acquired from Miami at the trade deadline in a bold midseason move, nearly logged a triple-double, finishing with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists. His poise and leadership were critical in the absence of Curry.
Buddy Hield also stepped up, torching Minnesota from deep with 5 triples en route to a 24-point night. His spacing and confidence helped keep the offense fluid without Curry orchestrating.
While Curry is expected to be re-evaluated in a week, it’s likely he’ll miss at least the next three games — and potentially more, depending on how his recovery unfolds. The Warriors are no strangers to playoff adversity, and this current stretch might be their most challenging test yet.
Notably, Curry has also been dealing with a lingering thumb injury on his shooting hand, which he managed through during Golden State’s grueling seven-game series against the Houston Rockets in the first round. He played a heavy 45 minutes in the Game 7 clincher just days before going down with the hamstring strain.
Despite being listed as a 10.5-point underdog heading into Game 2, the Warriors are determined not to let injuries derail their postseason hopes.
“We’ve always found a way,” said head coach Steve Kerr. “This group doesn’t flinch. Whoever is available, that’s who we’re rolling with.”
Tip-off for Game 2 is set for 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday night. All eyes will be on Golden State to see if they can continue their momentum and hold the line until their floor general is back in uniform.